NOTE: The bill described in this FPN Alert to Virginia list members was DEFEATED in a 8 to 6 committee vote on 2/8/06. On Wednesday afternoon, (2/8/06), the Senate General Laws Committee will consider legislation that would allow Virginia cities, counties and other “political subdivisions” (like local school boards) to prohibit “discrimination” on the basis [...]
A Fredericksburg City Councilman is suing his legislative peers for restricting his right to pray in Jesus’ name at official meetings. Hashmel Turner’s fellow council members voted to eliminate sectarian prayers in 2005 after a federal court ruled such invocations unconstitutional. As FPN reported in 2005, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals decided that prayers [...]
A Virginia-based pro-family activist is skeptical about Senator George Allen’s recent announcement that he no longer supports hate crimes legislation that includes “sexual orientation” as a protected status category.
In 2004 Allen voted in favor of a bill that added sexual orientation to the federal Hate Crimes Act, but recently he said he is reversing his previous position and will not support the measure this time. Joe Glover, president of the Family Policy Network, says he welcomes the senator’s announcement but has doubts as to whether the Republican lawmaker is sincere in stating his new position on the inclusion of “sexual orientation” in hate crimes legislation — a position stating opposition to what he once openly favored.
U.S. Senator George Allen (R-VA) has confirmed he will henceforth OPPOSE legislation that would add “sexual orientation” to the list of federally recognized “hate crimes.” The change in policy is being welcomed by the leader of the Virginia-based Family Policy Network – the group that has hounded Allen for breaking a written promise NOT to support such legislation in 2004.
The reversal comes after several months of actions by FPN staff criticizing Allen for breaking a promise to oppose such pro-homosexual legislation. Besides educating 35,000 of its own supporters, FPN also targeted Christian radio stations and conservative media outlets, successfully reaching listeners to thousands of Christian radio stations and readers of numerous conservative publications. In one-widely circulated article, FPN President Joe Glover had promised, “George Allen broke his promise to not support adding “sexual orientation” to the federal list of hate crimes last year. We’re asking him not to break that promise again now,”
LINKS: [--FPN had APPEALED for reversal--] [--FPN REACTION to reversal--]
CNS NEWS: Exclusive: Sen Allen Withdraws ‘Hate Crimes’ Support
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.asp?Page=%5CPolitics…
This article also at: Crosswalk.com, NewsMAX.com
A Methodist minister suspended for denying an unrepentant homosexual man membership in his Virginia church will be back in the pulpit Sunday (Nov. 20). In a letter posted on the Virginia Conference United Methodist Church website, Bishop Charlene Kammerer announced Rev. Ed Johnson’s return as pastor of South Hill United Methodist Church. [Click on the story title to read further...]
